Cases scheduled for court hearings in May 2024
A 46-year-old woman and her 48-year-old partner are due to face the Berri Magistrates Court on charges of animal ill-treatment in relation to three dogs and six puppies being allegedly kept in squalid conditions inside a small, disused toilet block in Coonalpyn. The defendant is also charged with breaching a 2018 court order that prohibited her from acquiring more cats and with a further ten counts of animal ill-treatment for keeping cats in a filthy enclosure with so little food and water that four died. The survivors were so hungry they had begun to cannibalise the bodies of the deceased. The further alleged offending occurred whilst the defendant was on bail for the offences relating to the dogs. All surviving animals have been rehomed except one kitten that was euthanased on humane grounds due to a medical condition with a poor prognosis.
A 46-year-old man from the northern suburbs is due to face the Elizabeth Magistrates Court charged with animal ill-treatment in relation to a Beagle cross dog found in emaciated condition and with a large, ulcerated and infected tumour protruding from her abdomen. Due to the dog's extremely poor condition and prognosis, she was humanely euthanased after seizure. The defendant is charged with failing to seek veterinary treatment for the animal.
A 48-year-old woman is due to face the Elizabeth Magistrates Court charged with failure to comply with a court order restricting the number of animals she is allowed to have in her care or custody. RSPCA SA inspectors attended the woman's Lewiston property on 17 October 2023 and seized 86 dogs and puppies, three rabbits and two guinea pigs. In August 2023, the woman was convicted on animal ill-treatment charges in relation to a Parrakie dog breeding facility that had more than 300 dogs and puppies. She received a three-month prison term, suspended on condition of a $500, three-year good behaviour bond.
A 60-year-old man from the southern suburbs will face the Christies Beach Magistrates Court charged with ill-treatment of an animal to cause death or serious harm. The charge relates to a male Boxer dog found with a large, ulcerated tumour protruding from his sternum. Due to the dog's extremely poor condition and prognosis, he was humanely euthanased after seizure.
A 47-year-old woman is due to face the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on five counts of animal ill-treatment after RSPCA SA inspectors found 19 cats and three dogs living in squalid conditions in an Adelaide beachside suburb. Euthanasia was the only humane option for five of the kittens, who were emaciated, flea-ridden and suffering severe congenital deformities and feline flu. One of the dogs, an elderly female mixed-breed, was also euthanased after medical tests revealed she was suffering an aggressive form of cancer. The remaining animals have either been adopted or remain in protective custody with RSPCA SA.
A 30-year-old woman from the western suburbs is due to face the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with breaching a court order on two separate occasions prohibiting her from owning any animals. The defendant was allegedly found on 17 May 2023 with two puppies in her care. On 6 September 2023 the accused was found with a further six dogs at her property. (The order prohibiting the defendant from owning any animals except three birds was made after she plead guilty and was convicted in October 2022 on animal ill-treatment charges relating to four dogs, four puppies and two cats.) The accused is also charged with breaching the good behaviour bond she was given in the October 2022 sentence.
A northern suburbs couple aged in their early 60s and their 28-year-old daughter are due in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court to face three charges of animal ill-treatment in relation to two toy poodle dogs, one of which was euthanased due to multiple health issues allegedly caused by chronic neglect. The other dog has required extensive veterinary care and remains in protective custody with RSPCA SA.
A couple from the northern suburbs are due to face the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in relation to a two-year-old male dog found in a state of extreme emaciation. The alleged offence occurred in 2019 but the couple failed to appear when due in court in 2020 and were arrested recently under warrant. The Staffordshire Terrier cross recovered and was rehomed.
A 53-year-old man from the northern suburbs is due to face the Elizabeth Magistrate Court charged with failure to take reasonable steps to mitigate harm. The defendant is charged with failing to obtain veterinary treatment for his cat, which was found suffering a tumour in its right eye that caused the eye globe to rupture.
